OCHA Situation Report
Somaliland Assistance Bulletin
01 -30 November 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION

Security & Access

The overall security situation in Somaliland remained stable. A verdict 
was issued on the trail case of the 10 arrested suspects of the killings 
of four humanitarian workers occurring in 2003 and 2004. The case 
originally started in March 2005. According to the regional court in 
Hargeisa, 8 men were found guilty of "terrorism" and were sentenced to 
death. Following the killing of the 4 expatriate humanitarian workers, 
the UN in collaboration with the national authorities established a 
Special Protection Unit (SPU) initially to provide protection for 
humanitarian workers of UN & international NGOs, subsequently extended 
to the rest of the community. Since then no further incidents were 
reported.

A deadly mine accident occurred in Burao on 16 November 2005 where a 
vehicle diverted from the main road towards a roadside short cut. Three 
out of a total of seven passengers were reported dead, including one UN 
staff member. Somaliland Mine Action Center (SMAC), supported by UNDP, 
coordinates mine action activities, since late 1999, an approximate area 
of around 115 million square meters has been cleared.

Food Security/Livelihoods

Deyr rain started on time, whereby most areas received normal to above 
normal rains except for parts of southern Awdal region. Rainfall 
distribution and intensity were good and allowed for further 
replenishment of water and pasture resources. Livestock reproduction was 
reported as above normal with increased availability of milk and ghee at 
household level and better livestock products for consumption and sale. 
The Food Security Analysis Unit of FAO (FSAU) has initiated the GU/Karan 
crop assessment; fieldwork was conducted among the agro-pastoral regions 
of Awdal & Togdheer between 22 November and 4 December 2005.

IDPs/Returnees

Findings of a nutrition assessment conducted in October 2005 among Burao 
IDP/returnee settlements, namely Kossar, Aden Sulieman and Ali Hussein, 
showed no improvement from the situation observed in previous studies 
(2003). Unlike the settlements of Hargeisa that displayed an appreciable 
improvement (7.6% in 2005 compared to 15.3 % in 2003), the global acute 
malnutrition rate was estimated at 15.1%, while severe acute 
malnutrition at 3.2%. The assessment was conducted by FAO/FSAU in 
collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Labour (MOH&L), the Somali 
Red Crescent Society, Save the Children Fund, Candlelight and Havoyoco. 
Sources of income among Burao settlements were labeled more irregular 
and unreliable. Besides, social support mechanisms were either lacking 
or extremely strained. The limited health facilities available were 
hampered by lack of staff and deficiency in drugs. While schools were 
available, access was hindered by lack of fees and uniform. Main coping 
mechanisms included borrowing from shops and neighbours, reduction of 
food intake and consumption of less preferred foods. The assessment 
recommended implementation of targeted supplementary feeding, support of 
school feeding, income generation activities, sanitation interventions 
and intensification of immunization programs. WFP has recently 
constructed a school canteen in the settlement of Kossar where there is 
intention to initiate a school feeding program. During the month, UNICEF 
undertook a community hygiene promotion program at Kossar settlement in 
collaboration with HEAL, a local NGO.

During the reporting period, UNHCR organized a need assessment mission 
within the main returnee reintegration areas of Awdal Region. The 
mission comprised government authorities (Ministries of RR&R, Education, 
Water, Agriculture, and Health), UNICEF, international NGO (DRC, NRC, 
CARE International, Health Unlimited & Cadastral Survey) and national 
partners (ADO, HAVOYOCO, HORSEED & COSONG). The purpose of the mission 
was to evaluate the completed and the ongoing projects of the returnee 
reintegration programme and to identify the gaps that need to be 
addressed during 2006 in the sectors of Protection, Food Security, 
Water, Community Service, Health, Education, Environment and Income 
Generation Activities. The mission also examined issues pertaining to 
enhancing the absorption capacities of the basic services for the 
returnee receiving communities in an area where some 8,000 refugees are 
expected to return from Djibouti by first half of 2006. By bringing all 
partners together, the other objective was to ensure ownership of UNHCR 
programme by all our partners, including the beneficiaries themselves. A 
debriefing Session on theconclusions of the mission was organized by 
UNHCR to plan for UNHCR 2006 programme in view of mission conclusions on 
community-felt needs identified.

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